Umpiring controversies are flavour of the month on the world scene at the moment and the New Zealand-Pakistan series is proving no different.

The most glaring mistake of the game to date, when New Zealand umpire Doug Cowie gave Matthew Bell out caught behind when he never touched the ball in the home team's first innings at Eden Park in Auckland.

It was a rare sound but when television replays at the ground relayed the pictures to the 2323 who turned up to watch the first day of play Cowie's decision was roundly booed.

It was all the more unfortunate because Bell was facing his first ball back in Test cricket after some horror moments trying to deal with Indian speedster Javagal Srinath.

Cowie also featured during today's play when several leg before wicket appeals from both Waqar Younis and Mohammad Sami.

Zimbabwean Russell Tiffen got into the act during Pakistan's second innings when he gave Misbah-ul-Haq out, caught by wicket-keeper Adam Parore when it appeared he didn't hit the ball.

Misbah was surprised by the decision and replays again showed that he did not hit the ball.

Pakistan were guilty of excessive appealing which did not help their cause and it will be interesting to see if cases of charging the umpire are penalised by match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

© CricInfo